Exclusive — Energy Official on Ocasio-Cortez’s Green Goals: Admirable, But Naïve

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chief of Staff Anthony Pugliese told Breitbart News Sunday that New York Democratic primary nominee Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal to transition to a 100-percent renewable energy system by 2035 is an admirable, but naïve goal.

Self-described Democratic socialist, Ocasio-Cortez says her plan would spur “the investment of trillions of dollars and the creation of millions of high-wage jobs.”

“The Green New Deal we are proposing will be similar in scale to the mobilization efforts seen in World War II or the Marshall Plan,” Ocasio-Cortez added.

In a tweet last week, Ocasio-Cortez bragged about having a Bachelor’s degree in economics, writing: “Wondering: How many other House Democrats have a degree in Economics like I do? Trying to find who out here is going to be in the Gini Coefficient Appreciation Squad.”

Wondering: How many other House Democrats have a degree in Economics like I do?

Trying to find who out here is going to be in the Gini Coefficient Appreciation Squad.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 3, 2018

Pugliese told Breitbart News Sunday host Amanda House that Ocasio-Cortez’s plan is not realistic.

“It’s purely a political talking point that she is trying to use to drum up her base,” Pugliese explained. “I think those of us who are in the industry and see this stuff every day know that it is not in the best interest of our national security, one, but the consumers and really the American way of life.

“Like I said, I think renewables play an important role in our grid right now and I think that role will increase,” he continued. “But for the foreseeable future, I think national gas, coal, and nuclear play an important role in keeping our grid reliable… so I think its an admirable goal, but I think that’s a naïve goal to think that’s possible.”

LISTEN:

Ronald Bailey, a science correspondent for Reason magazine, has also dispelled in detail the myth that America could transition to a 100 percent renewable future by 2030 without significant economic costs.

Breitbart News Sunday airs on SiriusXM Patriot Channel 125 from 7:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern.